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Dearborn Press & Guide

Dearborn Heights artists offers pieces at shop
By Robin Iori, Press & Guide correspondent

PUBLISHED: December 8, 2004

DEARBORN -- Dearborn Heights artist Kathleen Porter has tried her hand at many types of artistic expression. From photography to painting, to silver and brass, working to stained glass, she has enjoyed them all. But her favorite area of art is hot glass fusing, and she's been experimenting with it for the past few years.

Her work is currently on display and for sale at the Padzieski Art Gallery Holiday Market.

"I love how the colors are so vibrant and the textures so interesting in glass fusing," she said. "I also find the materials fascinating, as well. In my glass-fused watchbands, I use a product developed for the aerospace industry."

Porter has participated in other Padzieski Art Gallery exhibits and likes having her work so close to her home in Dearborn Heights. The variety of items Porter has produced using hot glass fusing ranges from the watchband to picture frames to jewelry to bowls and plates.

Fused works are created by melting specialty glass in a kiln at temperatures of 1,300 to 1600 degrees Fahrenheit. In order to give the finished piece depth and character, as many as five layers of glass are used. Basic processes for all pieces include an initial fusing, a grinding to establish the rough shape and a final fire polishing.

"I find inspiration in the color, texture and unique geometry of each piece," said Porter. Her work is on display in galleries throughout Southeastern Michigan, including the Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center, Paint Creek Center for the Arts in Rochester, River's Edge Gallery in Wyandotte and Village Framing & Art Gallery in Dearborn.

She participates in art fairs throughout the area, such as Dearborn's Art on the Avenue, the Ferndale Art Fair, Grosse Pointe Art Glass Show and Warren's Art in the Park. She has placed in several art competitions in 2004 including the Chicago Bead Arts Exhibit and the Fire Mountain Gems Beaded Jewelry competition.

Porter is a full-time Ford Motor Co. employee, so her art is more a hobby for her. Her husband turned his hobby into his career. Godfrey Porter's after-work interest in music has become his full-time job in the jazz group Hubbell Street. The band has played in a number of local events with the Dearborn Community Arts Council and elsewhere at local restaurants and bars.